What happens first?

The very first thing that will probably happen is something that leads your body into a state of discomfort.   Traditional western medicine will typically approach painful symptoms of the joints and muscles with prescriptions of pain killers and muscle relaxors, with advice to rest from one to three weeks.   This usually leads to a slow decrease, then a cessation of symptoms over time.  

However there often remains an area of weakness, decreased strength or flexibility.   This is because the underlying problem - what caused the discomfort to begin with - was only numbed by medication.   Time helped to heal the area, but perhaps with an associated loss of function.    All that can change with a change of focus, from masking the real issue to discovering and correcting it, thereby allowing your body its' full potential for healing and ultimate well-being.

So this is my first adjustment.....What is going to happen? 

Upon arrival at your first appointment, you will be greeted by our front desk personnel and be given a copy of all new patient information sheets.  ( A copy of all forms are available on-line in our "Contact US" section).   This will take approximately twenty minutes to complete.   While filling out the forms, front desk will ask you for your insurance information and will make a copy of your insurance card.   After returning all paperwork your doctor will come and introduce herself and lead you to your private treatment room.   The doctor will ask more detailed questions regarding your past health history as well as your current injury/complaint, followed by a physical exam.  

How long will the exam take?

This initial exam may take anywhere from thirty minutes for a simple complaint to up to two hours for a very complicated condition, as indicated by the individual patients' needs.   Usually, your first appointment will last a total of one and a half hours.  After your exam is completed a working diagnosis and suggested treatment will be discussed with you, including any alternatives that might be appropriate and any risks that may apply.   If at that point you are amenable to treatment at this facility, physiotherapy and an adjustment may be administered.  For those who have never experienced this, the easiest comparison is to cracking one's knuckles.   The sound that is heard, despite its' sometimes startling loudness, is caused by gases that are released from the fluid that lubricates every (synovial) joint.  

What is that 'popping' sound?

Briefly, each freely moving joint in the human body is encapsulated by tough layers of connective tissue that trap a liquid known as synovial fluid.  This fluid has been found to be one of the slipperiest substances known to humankind.   Synovial fluid literally greases the parts of us that need to flex and bend.   Gas is suspended in this fluid, much like carbonation is suspended in an unopened soda bottle.  When you pull the tab on a soda, the change in pressure in the can makes the gas leave the liquid and a loud pop can be heard.   The gas that is released from the joint, however, is not released into the surrounding environment and so is NOT lost and is slowly reabsorbed back into the synovial fluid over time.   This gas, known as NO, or nitrous oxide, has been found to be involved with nerve transmission and seems to offer temporary pain relief all on its' own.  The path to wellness is reached when the nerves, muscles and joints work together in concert with no pain or discomfort, allowing the body to function to its' fullest and most healthy potential. 

Once the initial exam and treatment are complete a program of therapy, including personalized stretches and exercises, will be discussed with you.   This type of therapy works with the natural healing nature of the body, so rarely is a single treatment sufficient.   Depending on the severity of the condition, a reasonable treatment schedule will be discussed.   With treatment of multiple and/or moderate to severe conditions, the treatment schedule will be adjusted accordingly.  We encourage questions and are delighted to answer any that you may have during your treatment.  

What about after the treatment?

At the end of treatment, you will be escorted to the front desk and will settle your bill as well as make any additional appointments necessary, as discussed between you and your chiropractor.  

Any further education that you might be interested in on any of a number of topics can be arranged by request.   Many books are available to all patients to check out and read at your leisure.   As a precaution to assure all titles are kept available to patients, all persons who wish to borrow a book must leave pertinent information with our front desk, with no charge for the book for up to one month.